Lynwood, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- LMC § 11-12.5
- Minimum barrier height
- 6 feet
- Max opening width
- 5 inches
- Gate latch height
- above 4 ft 6 in
- Pool depth trigger
- over 3 feet deep
Summary
Every swimming pool owner or possessor in the City of Lynwood must erect and maintain an enclosing fence or wall at least six feet high with no gaps wider than five inches, under Lynwood Municipal Code § 11-12.5. Gates and doors into the pool area must self-close and self-latch above a child's reach, and hedges cannot substitute for the required barrier.
a. Each person owning land, or in possession of land, within the City, either as owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant, or licensee, upon which a swimming pool is located, shall erect and maintain thereon a fence or building wall enclosing the area within which the pool is located. The fence or wall shall have no openings more than five (5") inches in width, and shall be not less than six (6') feet high and, except where the wall is also the wall of a building, shall not be more than six (6') feet high. b. Any door or gate opening into the area in which a swimming pool is located shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices, so arranged that the closing and latching devices cannot be operated or opened from a height of less than four feet six (4'6") inches above the finished grade and shall be designed to be inaccessible from the outside to small children ... ... c. No hedge or other plant material shall be used as a fence to enclose any swimming pool as required by this subsection.
Full Breakdown
Lynwood Municipal Code § 11-12.5(a) requires every person owning or possessing land with a swimming pool, whether as owner, contract purchaser, lessee, tenant, or licensee, to erect and maintain a fence or building wall enclosing the pool area. The barrier must have no openings wider than five inches, must be at least six feet high, and, except where a building wall serves as part of the enclosure, may not exceed six feet high. Subsection (b) requires any door or gate opening into the pool enclosure to have self-closing and self-latching hardware positioned so it cannot be operated from below four feet six inches above finished grade, designed to be inaccessible to small children from outside and to keep the gate securely closed when the pool is not in use; a building's own door forming part of the enclosure is exempt from this hardware rule.
Subsection (c) bars using a hedge or other plant material as the required enclosure. Subsection (d) exempts public pools charging admission and pools at religious, educational, apartment, motel, or hotel properties if either a competent person keeps the pool under constant observation while it holds water, or an approved pool cover or protective device is in place whenever the pool is unattended. Subsection (e) defines a swimming pool for this rule as any structure used for swimming, wading, or similar recreation, above or below ground, containing water deeper than three feet at any point.
Violations & Fines
Maintaining a swimming pool without the required enclosing fence or wall, failing to install self-closing and self-latching gate hardware, or relying on a hedge instead of a physical barrier violates § 11-12.5 and is enforced by the Building Official as a code violation under Lynwood Municipal Code Chapter 1's general penalty provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must a pool fence be in Lynwood?
Can I use a hedge instead of a fence around my pool?
Are self-latching gates required on a Lynwood pool enclosure?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lynwood
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